Milano-based architecture practice Stefano Boeri Architects is bringing the vertical forest concept to China, which will be the first Vertical Forest built in Asia after popularized in Milan. 

Named Nanjing Vertical Forest, promoted by Nanjing Yang Zi State-owned National Investment Group Co.ltd, fully green-infilled towers located in Nanjing Pukou District (an area destined to lead the modernization of southern Jiangsu and the development of the Yangtze River economic zone), the two towers are characterized by the interchange of green tanks and balconies, following the prototype of Milan’s Vertical Forest.

The buildings are covered by plenty of trees and plants along the whole length of facade -which features 600 tall trees, 500 medium-sized trees (for a total amount of 1100 trees from 23 local species) and 2500 cascading plants and shrubs will cover a 6.000 sqm area. 

A real vertical forest that will help to regenerate local biodiversity, will provide a 25 tons of CO2 absorption each year and will produce about 60 kg of oxygen per day.

The taller tower, 200 metres high, crowned on the top by a green lantern, will host offices - from the 8th floor to the 35th – and it will include a museum, a green architecture school and a private club on the rooftop. The second tower, 108 metres high, will provide a Hyatt hotel with 247 room of different sizes (from 35 sqm to 150 sqm) and a swimming pool on the rooftop. 

The 20 metres high podium, will  host commercial, recreational and educative functions, including multi-brands shops,a food market, restaurants, conference hall and exhibition spaces.

Nanjiing Vertical Forest project, which is scheduled to be finished in 2018, is the third prototype, after Milan and Lausanne, of a project about urban forestation and demineralisation that Stefano Boeri Architects will develop all over the world and in particular in other Chinese cities such as Shijiazhuang, Liuzhou, Guizhou, Shanghai and Chongqing.

''The interest raised in China towards Vertical Forest and Forest City projects is confirmed by the forthcoming publication, scheduled in April, of the book “A Forest City”, edited by Stefano Boeri Architects China and published by  Tongji University Press'', noted Stefano Boeri Architects. 

Nanjing Vertical Forest is expected to be completed in 2018. 

Project facts

Architect: Stefano Boeri Architects
Partner: Stefano Boeri, Yibo Xu
Project Leader: Pietro Chiodi
Design Leader: Carolina Boccella, Bao Yinxin
Design Team: Giulia Chiatante, Agostino Bucci, Mario Tang Shilong
Plantation Consultant: Laura Gatti, SLG
Structural Consultant: Luca Buzzoni, ARUP (Italy)
Investor: Nanjing Yang Zi State-owned Investment Group CO.Ltd
Local Design Institution: Nanjing Yangzi River Urban Architectural Design, Co. Ltd.
Local Nursery: Nanjing ZhongShan Nursery, Co. Ltd.

All images courtesy of Stefano Boeri Architects

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